Officer cleared in fatal Port Elgin police-involved shooting: SIU

An officer who fatally shot a suspect wanted for a series of break and enters in Bruce County was cleared by the province’s police watchdog.

An officer has been cleared of wrongdoing by the Special Investigations Unit (SIU) in a fatal police-involved shooting in Port Elgin.

On Feb. 21, OPP were searching for a 48-year-old man, who they said was suspected of a string of break-ins, car thefts, an assault, and a gun theft.

The SIU said police found the man near Port Elgin, but he fled in a stolen SUV. Police chased it as it passed tire deflation devices. The driver then reportedly lost control, crashing into a snowbank.

The man was armed with a shotgun and approached a nearby home, threatened the homeowners, and demanded their car keys, according to the SIU.

By that time, police had arrived at the property. An armed officer rushed towards the vehicle, ordering the man to show his hands. The car door was opened as the SIU said the man grabbed the shotgun, pointing it at the officer.

Multiple bullets were fired by the police officer. The man was taken to hospital, where he was later pronounced dead.

SIU Director Joseph Martino said there were no reasonable grounds to believe the officer committed a criminal offense in the incident.